Madison City Schools Plans $13 Million Bob Jones Renovation

MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) – It’s been only a few months since students have started attending Madison’s new James Clemens High School. Now the city is turning their focus to Bob Jones.

At Wednesday night’s school board meeting the members approved a $13 million dollar contract with SKT Architects, to update the school’s technology and infrastructure.

Technological updates have been made over the years, but the demands of more than 2,000 students and teachers have taken their toll.

The challenges they now face are as simple as infrastructure and planning. Classrooms aren’t equipped with enough outlets for the students’ laptops, and the internet is slowed down to a grind as the students log on from their tablets, laptops, and phones.

“Sixteen years ago it may have been more of a factory model school, but now we’re looking for a more sustainable environment,” said Dr. Dee Fowler, Superintendent of Madison City Schools. “The other great piece of this is there will be upgrades to our mechanical systems that will lower our operating costs.”

There is no formal plan yet, but in the coming weeks SKT Architects and school officials will tour the school to assess where the renovations need to be made.